For decades, it's been an oasis of agricultural land at the intersection of Interstate 64 and the Watterson Expressway. But the family trusts that control Oxmoor Farm may be reviving long-delayed plans to develop what is perhaps the most desirable acreage in Louisville. More >>

For decades, it's been an oasis of agricultural land at the intersection of Interstate 64 and the Watterson Expressway. But the family trusts that control Oxmoor Farm may be reviving long-delayed plans to develop what is perhaps the most desirable acreage in Louisville. More >>

The overall crime rate is down 4 percent, but homicides are up 20 percent.

Chief Steve Conrad said participating in National Night Out can help build a stronger partnership to fight crime.

“Everything we do in terms of us being able to be effective in dealing with crime comes down to the relationship between the police and the people we serve,” Conrad said.

LMPD organized events throughout the city Tuesday night with food and activities for kids.

Robert Oates, a parent attending the event, believes it can have an impact.

“I think it’s good. They need it," Oates said. "They need to know police are here to protect, and we need more kids to be police when they grow up. So this will be a good thing to help them get more familiar."

Officers said having positive interactions with kids at an early age can help build trust.

Conrad said he has a plan to address the increase in the city's homicide rate. It includes targeting crime hot spots, focusing on violent offenders, using more resources to stop drug dealers and working with the community.

“We’ve had 73 homicides here in our city, and over half of them have yet to be solved," he said. "I have to believe in every one of those unsolved cases there’s at least one person out there who knows what happened, and we need that person to do the right thing."

LMPD had seven National Night Out events going on at the same time with all eight divisions taking part.